The latest update (12:00 pm ET September 25th) to the weather brief concerning newly upgraded Hurricane Helene for the Florida Keys of Monroe County is below:
- The Tropical Storm Warning is in effect for all of the Florida Keys, from Ocean Reef to Key West, as well as the Dry Tortugas.
- A Coastal Flood Warning for saltwater flooding remains in effect for all of the Florida Keys.
- Complete all preparations by sunset this evening for potential:
- Storm Surge flooding, with saltwater flooding of 1 to 3 feet above ground level at the lowest elevations and shoreline. Flooding may extend over streets and low elevation properties a few blocks from the shoreline, and occur most likely late tonight through Thursday evening.
- Tropical storm force sustained winds of 30 to 40 mph, accompanied by frequent thundery squalls with damaging wind gusts of 55 to 65 mph and an isolated tornado or two. These winds may arrive in the Lower Keys as early as late this afternoon, but most likely arrive beginning in Key West late this evening, and spreading throughout the remainder of the Florida Keys during the early morning hours Thursday. These wind conditions are forecast to continue throughout the day Thursday.
- Hurricane Helene is forecast to further strengthen and increase in forward speed, reaching the Big Bend coast of Florida late Thursday as a major hurricane. Helene is expected to be a large tropical cyclone with storm surge, wind and rainfall impacts extending far to the east of its center.
Briefings are also posted to https://www.weather.gov/media/key/DSS/dssbrief_land.pdf